Sponsored by Rep. John Mathis, and signed into law in 2012 by Gov. Gary Herbert, HB187 (Act No. 213) declares that a person is guilty of agricultural operation interference if the person records an image of, or sound from, an agricultural operation under certain circumstances; obtains access to an agricultural operation under false pretenses; or obtains employment at an agricultural operation with the intent to record an image of, or sound from, the agricultural operation. Violators of the law are guilty of a class A misdemeanor and face up to one year in prison and a $2,500 fine.

Sponsored by Rep. Michael Noel, and signed into law in 2013 by Gov. Herbert, HB155 limits the authority of federal employees to exercise law enforcement authority within Utah. HB155 provides that Utah does not recognize the authority of any United States Forest Service employee who is not a certified law enforcement officer or any Bureau of Land Management employee to exercise law enforcement authority under state, local, or federally assimilated law. Violators of this law are guilty of a class B misdemeanor punishable by a $1,000 fine and six months in jail.

Sponsored by Rep. Christopher Herrod and signed into law by Gov. Herbert, the HB143 Eminent Domain Authority Law authorizes the state to exercise eminent domain authority on property possessed by the federal government unless the property was acquired by the federal government with the consent of the Legislature and in accordance with the United States Constitution Article I, Section 8, Clause 17.

Sponsored by Sen. Margaret Dayton and signed into law by Gov. Herbert, SB11 states: “A personal firearm, a firearm action or receiver, a firearm accessory, or ammunition that is manufactured commercially or privately in the state to be used or sold within the state is not subject to federal law or federal regulation, including registration, under the authority of congress to regulate interstate commerce.”

Gov. Herbert comments, “There are times when the state needs to push back against continued encroachment from the federal government. Sending the message that we will stand up for a proper balance between the state and federal government is a good thing,”